Dozens of people lined up overnight in the freezing temperatures hoping to get their hands on a specific assault rifle.

Sportsman's Warehouse in Northeast Albuquerque was expecting a truck full of guns to arrive Thursday afternoon. People waiting in line were hoping that AR-15s would be on the truck.

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"There's a quote-unquote shortage of them," explained Jimmie Russell, one of the people waiting in line.

Russell arrived at the store around 5:30 a.m. to sit with his son-in-law, who planned on buying the firearm. The group didn't know whether they'd be one of the lucky ones to get a gun or not, since there were only a few headed to the store.

"I don't expect more than eight or 10 rifles," he said.

The first man in line told Action 7 News he got to the store at 8 p.m. Wednesday and expected to wait more than 17 hours to purchase one of the guns. He said the shortage of these rifles is so bad right now, that they are going for nearly double the amount they typically cost, which is between $900 and $1,500.

Russell said people were lined up, hesitant that if they didn't get an assault rifle soon, they may not be able to at all.

"I think that if the government could pass the legislation they would probably ban these types of weapons," Russell explained.

Gun violence and gun control has been a popular topic lately following a number of mass shootings involving guns. Most recently, in Albuquerque, a 15-year old boy shot his five family members to death using an AR-15.

Yet Russell said the fear of these guns is unfounded.

"If you have a disturbed individual out there and he or she is dead-set on hurting people, they'll find a way," he said.

The firearms, he explained, are considered small-caliber guns by gun advocates. Russell told Action 7 News the fear generated by these guns is borne out of misinformation.

"It's not a gun you take to hunt moose," he said. "Or large game, but maybe a small deer. You could use it for hunting."

For now, there is no telling how many more of these guns would be shipped to Albuquerque let alone Sportsman's Warehouse. The store expects a truck every Thursday.